Barrier for Open Heeled Footwear

ABSTRACT

A clothing protector providing a projecting barrier to prevent clothing from becoming positioned between a heel of a foot and footwear being worn by a user. The protector has a planar body having an as-used position folded and within the gap between the heel of the foot and the footwear. Adhesive engages the body to both the heel of the foot and the top surface of the footwear. So engaged, a middle portion of the protector provides a barrier to clothing such as pants or a long dress from entering the gap when the user walks.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed device relates generally to garments. More particularly, the device relates to a removably engaged garment accessory which, when deployed, prevents the entanglement of garments such as pants, in between the heel of the foot and the foot supporting surface of backless shoes during movement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fashion, in most countries, changes with the season and yearly and designers and manufacturers of garments produce many different types of garments which can be worn by individuals, be they fashion conscious or just practical. Whether practical or fashionable, garments are available in a variety of forms including blouses, skirts, pants, jackets, dresses, and shorts amongst the many options available.

Clothing combinations, whether in the pursuit of a fashionable look or whether dictated by color matching or other factors, can yield some hazardous pairings of clothing components. For example, a shorter person wearing a long skirt runs the constant risk of walking on the distal end of the skirt and catching it between the ground and the bottom of their shoe or foot. Wearing taller shoes to raise the hem of the skirt from the ground may save the fabric of the skirt from abrasion on the ground, but if the wearer is fitted with open back shoes, it presents a risk of catching the fabric at the distal end of the skirt, between the upper sole of the shoe of the wearer, and the heel of their foot.

Wearing pants with open backed shoes presents the same problem. The pants if fashionably long, will tend to extend beyond the upper sole of the shoes of the wearer. This occurs with regularity when open backed high heeled shoes are worn by the wearer. When combined with the general instability of high heels, the potential for tripping or falling should the wearer pinch a cuff or pant leg between a shoe and their heel is significantly increased.

When a wearer walks in backless footwear, each time they raise their foot from the ground, the heel of their foot will first rise above the top sole of the shoe forming a gap between the heel of the foot, and the shoe. The lack of a back portion on the shoe causes the front portion of the shoe to lift the rear portion. Since nothing holds the rear of the shoe to the foot, the gap inherently forms between the heel of the foot and shoe as the shoe will tilt while being raised from the front.

In any combination of long pants or skirts, and such backless footwear, the wearer continually risks tripping or falling for the duration of wearing such a combination of garments. Every time the wearer raises one of their feet while attired in open back footwear, the lower leg of the pants fabric, or the lower edge portion of a long skirt, is continually at risk of sliding into the gap which forms between the shoe and the heel of the wearer each time the heel separates from the shoe.

When the wearer again puts weight on the formerly raised foot, their heel again contacts the shoe with a substantial force of the weight of their body upon the very small area of the upper sole of the shoe. Besides being embarrassing, the wearer can easily fall as well as cause damage to the clothing being trapped between the shoe and foot.

Attempts have been made in the past to provide a device to help eliminate the potential for clothing to become trapped between a wearer's foot and their open backed shoe.

US application 2006/0143768 (Lockwood) teaches a garment accessory for preventing the fabric of a pair of pants or a skirt from being entangled between the heel and shoe sole during movement, such as walking. Lockwood discloses a device that is affixed to the base of a pants leg or skirt, on the back and inside portion of the pants, at the region closest to the heel. The garment accessory temporarily stiffens the region of the pants or skirt around the heel, so as to avoid entanglement of the garment fabric between the heel and the backless shoes during movement. However, Lockwood will not prevent entry of the fabric of the pants or skirt into the gap between the shoe and foot. With the device of Lockwood, the pants or skirt can still enter the gap between the shoe and foot and get caught thereby damaging the fabric or causing the wearer to fall or trip.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,618,862 (Bunjes)discloses a guard which is attached to the back portion of a shoe and has a clip insert remaining on the outside of the shoe just above the shoe heel. A pants hem or skirt can be tucked behind the clip insert and keeps the hem above the shoe heel. However Bunjes requires an engagement with the pants or skirt which is viewable by third parties and will cause an unnatural drape and is not easily engaged or disengaged.

Published US Application 2002/0011010 (Smith) attempts to solve the dilemma also. Smith however uses a double-sided adhesive pad to glue the users heel to the top sole of the backless shoe. The user is thus required to adhere a pad to their foot, providing an unnatural feel while walking and still allowing the clothing to possibly get caught around the edges of the user's heel and the shoe since no barrier is provided rearward of the heel.

As such, there is a continuing unmet need for a device which will obviate the potential for long skirts or pants to unintentionally enter the gap formed between a backless shoe and the wearer's foot while walking. Such a device should best be removably engageable to the clothing and shoe, and should be unnoticeable by third parties, to avoid ruining the look or fashion statement the user is attempting to make while wearing the clothing combination. Such a device should store in a very compact fashion to allow it to be carried in a handbag or pocket for use when an unexpected need arises. Such a device, when engaged in the gap between the foot and footwear should provide a barrier to the intrusion of clothing toward, or into the gap. Finally, such a device should be inexpensive to allow for widespread use and prevention of potential falling injuries and damage to clothing resulting from open heeled footwear and long clothing combinations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed device provides a novel remedy to the noted shortcomings of prior attempts to address the problem of clothing becoming caught between the foot and open heeled footwear. The device is formed of a thin planar material such as stiff paper or plastic or cloth materials, which when folded to a stored position, has a very small width profile. It thus may be packaged in small wrappers and easily stored in a purse or pocket for use.

The device features a body which has a foldable central portion extending to halves, each extending to opposite ends of the body. The half portions are joined at the central portion of the body to form a hinge of sorts by a fold in the body, or a formed curve in the center of the body.

On one side surface of the body, at both ends, is positioned an adhesive area. The adhesive area would be an area on the surface of the body, which is covered with a removably engageable adhesive. The adhesive is adapted to removably stick to the bottom of the user's foot, or a sock, or a stocking on the foot on one end of the body. The adhesive on the opposite end of the body is adapted to adhere temporarily to the top surface of the sole of open heeled footwear when in an as-worn position on the user with the first end engaged to the bottom of the user's foot or foot covering, and the second end engaged to the top of the open heeled footwear.

The adhesive would best be covered by a removable sheet of cover material which will allow the device to be stored with the adhesive prevented from adhering to anything proximate. Prior to use, the cover material would simply be peeled off the adhesive rendering the device ready for positioning in an as-used position between the foot and the open heeled footwear.

In use, in the as-used position, the hinge formed in the center portion of the body, will project to the rear of the user's heel. If formed as a curve, it will project as a curved portion of the body, and if formed as a fold, it will project as a pointed portion of the body.

The device in the as-used position, will thus prevent the accidental entry of pants, or a skirt, into the gap, that generally forms when a wearer lifts their foot while wearing open heeled footwear. This means for prevention of entry of clothing into the normally formed gap, is provided by the fact that the central portion of the body, at the hinge point, will provide a barrier to the entry of clothing into the gap which is filled by the device herein in the as-used position.

The device may be manufactured in a planar configuration allowing the user to fold it and determine the hinge point. Or, it may be manufactured with a preformed hinge point, in the central region of the body. In a preformed version, a curve may be easily imparted to the hinge point or a fold.

Packaging may be a simple envelope or other openable housing. This will allow the user to store the device in their purse or pocket, and remove it when needed from the storage envelope to affix it to their foot and footwear in the as-used position.

With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the device to prevent entry of clothing into the gap between a foot and open heeled footwear in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of operation nor the arrangement of the components or steps set forth in the following description or illustrations in the drawings. The various methods of implementation and operation of the invention are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art once they review this disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other devices and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the disclosed clothing protection device herein. It is important, therefore, that the objects and claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further objectives of this invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

It is an object of this invention to provide an easily employed means to prevent the accidental positioning of clothing such as pants or skirts, in-between the foot and footwear of a user.

An additional object of this invention is the prevention of injuries and clothing damage that is caused by users accidentally catching their pants and skirts between their heel and shoe.

These together, with other objects and advantages which become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of the construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts the device in the as-used position with a first end engaged to the user's foot, and the second end of the body adhered to the top surface of open heeled footwear.

FIG. 2 shows the device with adhesive covered by coverings on each end of the body.

FIG. 3 depicts the device folding at a hinge portion in the center region of the body.

FIG. 4. Shows the device of figure three from the opposite side of FIG. 4 with the adhesive exposed and ready for engagement to the footwear and foot of the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in FIGS. 1-4, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1, the device 10, mounted and in the as-used position, engaged to the foot 12 of the user, and the top surface 14 of open-heeled footwear 16.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 1 a, in the as-used position, a first end 18 of the body 20 of the device 10 engages upon the foot 12 of the user on the lower heel. Engagement is provided using means for removable engagement such as adhesive 22 operatively positioned on one surface of the first end 18.

The second end 24 of the body 20 is separated from the first end 18 of the body 20 by a mid portion 26. The first end 18 and second end 24 while shown as mirrored ends of the body 20 might be any shape adapted to fit under the user's foot 12 on one portion and upon the top surface 14 of the shoe 16 on the other portion.

The adhesive 22 on both the first end 18 and second end 24 may be a peel-and-stick type of adhesive where a cover 30 is removable to expose the adhesive 22 for use. The adhesive 22 may also be reusable such as the adhesive used in posting notes, and the cover 30 may be replaced to allow reuse.

As shown in FIG. 1 a the device 10 when in the as-used position of FIG. 1, would preferably have curve 32 formed in the mid section 26 when the first end 18 is folded against or adjacent to the second end 24 and the device 10 is engaged to both the foot 12 and the shoe 16 in the as-used position. The curve 32 may be an imparted shape to the body 20 during manufacture by molding or steaming or other means to impart a memorized shape into the body 20.

The curve 32 or other shaped mid portion 26 will operate best as a projection 33 projecting a distance just past the rear edge of the users foot 12 at the heel of the foot 12 as shown in FIG. 1. The projection 33 whether it be a curve 32 of the mid portion 26 or a pointed distal end or another shape, thus provides a physical barrier, extending a distance rearward of the heel of the foot 12, as a means to prevent clothing such as pants 34 from entering into the gap 38 which becomes larger and exposed at the rear of the footwear when the user's foot 12 is lifted during walking. The curve 32 will be formed to reverse the direction of the body 20 180 degrees positioning the two halves of the body adjacent to each other in the as-used position.

In use, the user would expose the adhesive 22 if covered by a cover 30 such that it may be adhered to the heel area of the foot 12 and the top surface of the shoe 16 in the as-used position. The user may self adjust the positioning of the body 20 by viewing it in combination with the foot 12 and footwear 16, or by using aiming indicia 39 such as sequential lines, which may be placed on the device 10, in positions appropriate to allow the device 10 to be aligned with the proper projection 33 and engaged once by eye, and subsequently body 20 using the aiming indicia 39 aligned with positions on the shoe 16 and the foot 12.

The device 10 as shown in FIGS. 2-4, would be easily stored in small areas such as a purse or hand bag or pocket. Packaged in a cover either flat as in FIG. 2, or folded as in figure la. If formed to form a curve 32 at the distal end of the projection 33, prior to packaging the body 20 may be pre folded. Adhesive 22 may be preengaged and covers 30, if used, in either mode of packaging.

Use would entail simply removing any packaging and adhering one of the first 18 or second end 24 to the heel of the foot 12 and the other of the first end 18 or second end 24 to the top surface of the shoe 16. The body 20, being formed of resilient material such as one or a combination of nylon, plastic, fabric, or coated fabric, which once so engaged, will form the small projection 33 which would project even with, or a distance past, the user's heel, at the rear end of the foot 12. Once so positioned, the projection 33 formed a projected barrier which will thereby provide a means to prevent the pants 34 or a dress or other clothing, from approaching or entering into the gap 38 between the heel and the shoe 16 when the user walks. This means of prevention of entry of clothing between the foot and the shoe also provides a means to prevent tripping by the user or possible damage to the clothing which conventionally would become engaged by compression of the heel of the foot 12 upon the fabric of the clothing and the top surface of the shoe 16.

While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the device adapted form a projecting barrier to prevent clothing from becoming positioned between open-heeled footwear and the user's foot have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

1. A clothing protector to prevent clothing from becoming positioned between a heel of a foot and footwear being worn by a user, comprising: a substantially planar body, said body having a first end and a second end and having a first surface therebetween; said first surface having a middle portion between said first end and said second end; said body having an as-used configuration positioning a first portion of said middle portion adjacent to said heel and positioning a second portion of said middle portion adjacent to a support surface for said heel on said footwear; means to engage said first portion to said heel and said second portion to said support surface, thereby positioning said body in an as-used position in a gap between said heel and said support surface; and said middle portion of said body between said first portion and said second portion, when in said as-used position, forming a barrier to said clothing from entering said gap.
 2. The clothing protector of claim 1 additionally comprising: said means to engage said first portion to said heel and said second portion to said support surface being adhesive.
 3. The clothing protector of claim 2 additionally comprising: said adhesive being covered by a removable strip, said strip being removable prior to a positioning said body in said as-used position.
 4. The clothing protector of claim 1 additionally comprising: said middle portion of said body between said first portion and said second portion forming a projection when in said as used position; and said projection extending to a distal end a distance past a rear edge of said heel of said user's foot.
 5. The clothing protector of claim 2 additionally comprising: said middle portion of said body between said first portion and said second portion forming a projection when in said as used position; and said projection extending to a distal end a distance past a rear edge of said heel of said user's foot.
 6. The clothing protector of claim 3 additionally comprising: said middle portion of said body between said first portion and said second portion forming a projection when in said as-used position; and said projection extending to a distal end a distance past a rear edge of said heel of said user's foot.
 7. The clothing protector of claim 4 additionally comprising: said body formed of resilient material; and said projection having a curved portion formed at said distal end by a portion of said body when placed in said as-used position.
 8. The clothing protector of claim 5 additionally comprising: said body formed of resilient material; and said projection having a curved portion formed at said distal end by a portion of said body when placed in said as-used position.
 9. The clothing protector of claim 6 additionally comprising: said body formed of resilient material; and said projection having a curved portion formed at said distal end by a portion of said body when placed in said as-used position.
 10. The clothing protector of claim 7 additionally comprising: said curved portion providing a turn in said body of substantially 180 degrees thereby placing a portion of said first end adjacent to a portion of said second end in said as-used configuration.
 11. The clothing protector of claim 8 additionally comprising: said curved portion providing a turn in said body of substantially 180 degrees thereby placing a portion of said first end adjacent to a portion of said second end in said as-used configuration.
 12. The clothing protector of claim 9 additionally comprising: said curved portion providing a turn in said body of substantially 180 degrees thereby placing a portion of said first end adjacent to a portion of said second end in said as-used configuration.
 13. The clothing protector of claim 4 additionally comprising: indica upon said first surface, said indica providing means for said user to determine said distance of said projection prior to engaging said first portion to said heel and said second portion to said support surface.
 14. The clothing protector of claim 5 additionally comprising: indica upon said first surface, said indica providing means for said user to determine said distance of said projection prior to engaging said first portion to said heel and said second portion to said support surface.
 15. The clothing protector of claim 6 additionally comprising: indica upon said first surface, said indica providing means for said user to determine said distance of said projection prior to engaging said first portion to said heel and said second portion to said support surface.
 16. The clothing protector of claim 7 additionally comprising: indica upon said first surface, said indica providing means for said user to determine said distance of said projection prior to engaging said first portion to said heel and said second portion to said support surface.
 17. The clothing protector of claim 8 additionally comprising: indica upon said first surface, said indica providing means for said user to determine said distance of said projection prior to engaging said first portion to said heel and said second portion to said support surface.
 18. The clothing protector of claim 9 additionally comprising: indica upon said first surface, said indica providing means for said user to determine said distance of said projection prior to engaging said first portion to said heel and said second portion to said support surface.
 19. The clothing protector of claim 12 additionally comprising: indica upon said first surface, said indica providing means for said user to determine said distance of said projection prior to engaging said first portion to said heel and said second portion to said support surface. 